–PRODUCT ALERT– I needed a new set of ice cleats…
I’ve bought many pairs of ice cleats over the years. They get a lot of use. Some were great; others were terrible.
The dealbreaker for me: they MUST have a top Velcro strap or a buckle if they are for a serious winter outdoor hiker. I’ve lost so many pairs (half pairs, actually) that didn’t have a strap because they would eventually slip off in the snow without me noticing it until I was back on the ice.
Most brands I’ve seen have a simple stretchy rubber to cover the heel and toe. Those are the ones I lose. Some cheapie ones are a simple band an inch or so wide with two to four spikes on the bottom. They slip off faster than a dress on prom night.
The WORST I’ve had are “Extreme Ice Cleats” by Hot Headz. They have a strap so they won’t easily slip off, but like jar42’s saga, most of the spikes broke off the first time I used them on ice. They would probably be OK for snow but not ice.
I think we’ve owned 9 pairs so far. We’ve had the best luck with YakTrax. Instead of spikes or studs, they have hundreds of steel coils and do a good job. However I much prefer the YakTrax Pro ($30), which has a Velcro strap on top, instead of the standard YaxTrax ($20), which does not have the strap.
